Christy O’Connor Junior, the celebrated Irish golfer, has passed away at the age of 67.

The Galway native won four times on the European Tour during a long career but is best known for his Ryder Cup heroics in the 1989 match with the USA at The Belfry.

His singles success over Fred Couples on the final day was illuminated by a raking 2-iron shot to the 18th which dribbled to within four-feet of the hole and gave Europe the point they needed to retain the Ryder Cup.

O’Connor, who also played in the 1975 Ryder Cup, described the shot as “the greatest and most emotional moment of my professional life.”

O’Connor was the nephew of the great Christy O’Connor Senior, who played in 10 Ryder Cups during a distinguished career.

Dubliner Paul McGinley, Europe's Ryder Cup-winning captain at Gleneagles in 2014, led the tributes to his countryman as players took to social media to pass on their condolences.